Oilers get Hyman back vs. Blue Jackets

Zach Hyman is returning to the Edmonton Oilers' lineup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.

"It's exciting, it's a great day," Hyman told reporters in the afternoon. "Any time you're back in the lineup, you're excited. It's what all of us love to do is play."

The forward missed five games with an undisclosed issue.

Hyman is coming off a season in which he exploded for a career-high 54 goals along with 23 assists in 80 games. However, he struggled mightily to start the current campaign, failing to score until his 11th contest on Oct. 31. Hyman collected a lone assist over those first 10 games but has recorded three tallies and four helpers in the 10 contests he's played since.

The Toronto-born winger scored all three of his goals during a four-game span in late October and early November.

Edmonton went 3-2-0 without Hyman in the lineup. The Oilers came into Thursday's game sitting fifth in the Pacific Division at 13-10-2.